Crime Blotter: Men Charged In Gravesend Murder, Honey-Stealer On The Loose

A lot happened in area crime this week. Justice was served to at least three individuals. Read more below:

Murderer and accomplice arrested

A year has passed since the murder of 26-year-old Gavin Becerra and the shooting of his twin at 2003 Stillwell Avenue. The brothers, who were apparently involved in a drug deal gone wrong, were both discovered, shot in the chest, in their Gravesend apartment building following a 911 call just past 11 p.m. last May, the Daily News reported at the time.

Now, two men have been arrested and charged with multiple accounts of attempted robbery, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder in relation to Becerra’s death and his brother’s shooting.

The arrested are 34-year-old Ernest Jones of Bed Stuy and 28-year-old Colyn Needham of Red Hook.

2003 Stillwell Avenue. Photo via Google Maps

Honey-stealer assaults shop owner

On Monday, October 24 a man stole $36 worth of “Natural Garden Honey from The Food Universe Marketplace at 97 Avenue O. The store’s owner followed the suspect out of the store, only to have the honey-stealer shove her to the ground, injuring her wrist and elbow. The investigation is ongoing.

Man breaks into building to lurk in its basement

Also on Monday, a man broke into the Excel Learning Center at 7907 New Utrecht Avenue. At 3:50 a.m., the suspect entered the location, damaging the basement door in the process, and then proceeded to walk around the building’s basement, surveillance footage shows. The man did not steal anything. He merely lurked.

Bath Beach creep arrested

On Saturday, 19-year-old Bath Beach resident Sammy Bensabeur followed a 38-year-old female from the subway to her Sunset Park apartment building, where he entered and trailed her up the stairs. Once inside the building, Bensabeur grabbed the victim, prompting a struggle where the victim fell onto the stairs. Bensabeur then fled the scene.

On Tuesday, Bensabeur was caught and charged with attempted rape, sex abuse, forcible touching and public lewdness.

Older man knocked to ground

In broad daylight, a 65-year-old man was knocked to the ground on Cropsey and 20th avenues at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. The victim had been speaking to another male, when the male’s friend came up behind the victim and punched him in the face, giving him lacerations.

The victim was taken to Lutheran Hospital for medical attention. The investigation is ongoing.